SAN DIEGO – September 28, 2016 – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) will present the world premiere of Associate Artistic Director Todd Salovey’s newest play, “The Dybbuk for Hannah and Sam’s Wedding” as the third production of the theatre’s 41st season. Written and directed by Salovey, the play is a one-man adaptation of the classic Jewish play “The Dybbuk” by S. Ansky. Taking on all 18 characters over the course of this theatrical wedding will be internationally renowned actor and Cirque du Soleil clown Ron Campbell (“R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE”). Rounding out the trio of REP audience favorites, Klezmer legend and music ethnographer Yale Strom will compose and perform live original music for the show. “The Dybbuk for Hannah and Sam’s Wedding” begins on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 and plays through Sunday, December 18, 2016 with an opening night on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Lyceum Space Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.

“I believe ‘The Dybbuk’ is the most mystically romantic play of all time. It is the source of so many classic possession stories. What an amazing chance to work on my favorite play with Ron Campbell, one of the country’s most acclaimed multi-character actors, and Yale Strom, one of the world’s experts in klezmer music. This production will be a funny, haunting, spooky and mystical tour-de-force.”

Lauded for his two turns at San Diego REP as the inimitable R. Buckminster Fuller, as well as other hit productions including “Picasso at Lapin Agile,” the one-man “Tale of Two Cities,” the “The Illusion” and “Merchant of Venice,” Ron Campbell returns to San Diego for this tour-de-force one-man, 18 character role. A lead clown for Cirque du Soleil and a leading classical actor on the national stage, Campbell has received The Fox Fellowship for Distinguished Achievement, training with various international companies in Greece, Italy and Japan with an emphasis on Mask Work. Campbell has become known for his ability to inhabit multiple characters in a single play, having played as many as 38 characters on multiple occasions.

Joining Campbell on stage to perform original live music will be the world-renowned Klezmer musician Yale Strom. Violinist, composer, filmmaker, writer, photographer and playwright, Yale Strom was a pioneer among revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Roma communities since early 1981. Over more than three decades and 75 such research expeditions, Strom has become one of the world's leading scholar-ethnographer-artists of klezmer music, history and culture.

Hannah and Sam are getting married and you are invited! As klezmer legend Yale Strom and friends play live original music, Uncle Jerry stands to offer a very special toast for the bride and groom. Moved by the spirit of the moment, and the spirits he has consumed, Jerry’s toast is a tour-de-force one man performance of the most celebrated play in Yiddish literature, S. Ansky’s The Dybbuk. The mystical story centers on a broken vow that results in a wandering spirit taking possession of a bride on her wedding day. Boundaries between the natural and supernatural worlds dissolve in this tale of powerful young love and spiritual possession. You will find yourself in the spell of a Yiddish classic that is a humorous and horrific folk tale of wondrous meaning.

Todd Salovey (Playwright & Director) is in his 26th season with The REP. His most recent REP production was the popular “Outside Mullingar.” Two years ago he partnered with Herbert Siguenza on the world premiere of “Steal Heaven,” following their collaborations on “In the Time of the Butterflies” and “A Weekend with Pablo Picasso,” which has also played at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Denver Center, Arizona Theatre Co, San Jose Stage, Los Angeles Theatre Center and Center Arts REP. His other acclaimed REP shows include writing and directing both “A Hammer, A Bell and A Song to Sing” and “The Blessing of a Broken Heart” which was performed this year in both Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as directing the “The Dybbuk,” “King Lear,” the world premiere of Yehuda Hyman’s “The Mad Dancers” and “Hamlet” starring Jefferson Mays. Salovey teaches at the University of California, San Diego and is the founding Artistic Director of the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, which commissions new work exploring Jewish traditions in contemporary forms.

Ron Campbell(Performer) has performed everywhere from the streets of Paris to the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Fuji Dome in Japan, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece, The Habima in Israel, The American Conservatory Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum, The Mercury Theatre, (Chicago) The Huntington Theatre, (Boston) The Seattle Rep, The Berkeley Rep, TheatreWorks and The Actors' Gang, but considers the San Diego REP to be his theatrical home. Ron was lead clown in Cirque du Soleil's “Kooza” and created Cecil B. DeGrille for “Teatro ZinZanni.” His many roles include Don Quixote, Sherlock Holmes, Cyrano and Richard the Third. Other One Man Shows: “The Thousandth Night,” “Shylock,” “R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE,” “The Boneman of Benares” and “A Tale of Two Cities.” His awards include Critics Circle Awards in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the 2015 TBA Award for Best Actor and nominations for Jeff and Helen Hayes Awards. Ron is an Associate Artist of the California Shakespeare Theatre and recipient of the Fox Fellowship for Distinguished Achievement. Ron holds a 3rd degree rank in the martial art of Iaido.

Yale Strom (Original Music) is a violinist, composer, filmmaker, writer, photographer and playwright who was a pioneer among revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Roma communities since the early 1981. Over more than three decades and 75 such research expeditions, Strom has become one of the world's leading scholar-ethnographer-artists of klezmer music, history and culture. Since he began his first band in 1981, Strom has been composing his own New Jewish music, which combines klezmer with Khasidic nigunim, Roma, jazz, classical, Balkan and Sephardic motifs. He composed original music for the Denver Center production of Tony Kushner's The Dybbuk. He also composed all the New Jewish music for the National Public Radio series “Fiddlers, Philosophers & Fools: Jewish Short Stories from the Old World to the New,” hosted by Leonard Nimoy, as well as numerous film (“A Life Apart”) and dance (Malashock Dance Troupe) scores. He is an artist-in-residence in the Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University, a position that was created for him. Strom's latest music project is a recording of Shmuel Polonski's "Yiddish Songs for Youth" which is Strom's newest recording called "The City of the Future.” Lastly he is in post-production on the documentary film called: American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs" which will be out by fall 2016.

Tickets range from $41 to $77 and can be purchased in-person at the San Diego REP Box Office, by calling 619.544.1000, or online at sdrep.org. Active military, teacher and senior discounts are available. Student tickets are available for all performances for just $20 each. Prices subject to change.

Location:

Lyceum Space

San Diego Repertory Theatre

79 Horton Plaza

San Diego, CA 92101-6144

Parking:

San Diego REP patrons may now park in the 225 Broadway Building (formerly the NBC Building) parking garage. Parking information will be sent upon purchase.

Construction:

San Diego Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce that work is in progress on a $3 million renovation of The Lyceum Theatres, including the lobby, concession, restrooms and Lyceum Stage Theatre. The remodel work is occurring in phases. Estimated completion is January 2017.

During construction, San Diego REP patrons will be able to access all normal amenities of The Lyceum Theatre complex. Ample parking will still be available in the Horton Plaza parking garage and the Box Office, elevators, restrooms and concession areas will be easily accessible unless otherwise noted. San Diego REP’s House Management staff will keep patrons updated on renovation activities with signage posted in and around the facility as well as send e-mail communications to maintain the venue experience. For additional information, please contact the Box Office at 619-544-1000 or visit sdrep.org.

About San Diego Repertory Theatre

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. Founded in 1976, San Diego Repertory Theatre is downtown San Diego’s resident theatre, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values and celebrates the multiple voices of our region. The company produces and hosts over 550 events and performances year-round on its three stages at the Lyceum Theatre. Since moving to the Lyceum, The REP has produced 45 main stage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, Backstage West, Dramalogue and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented The REP with the Craig Noel Award “For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity.” San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. To learn more about San Diego Repertory Theatre, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit www.sdrep.org. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP).